A Phenomenological Study of Nurse Managers’ and Assistant Nurse Managers’ Experiences during the COVID‐19 Pandemic in the United States

Abstract

AIM: To understand the experiences of hospital nurse managers and assistant nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. BACKGROUND: Little research has been published about the experiences of nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experiences of front-line nurses have been well documented. This is the first phenomenological study to date in the United States on experiences of hospital nurse managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Phenomenological qualitative approach. METHODS: Thirteen managers, seven nurse managers and six assistant nurse managers were interviewed about their experiences using audio-video teleconferencing and a semi-structured interview guide. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research criteria for reporting qualitative research were used. RESULTS: The four major themes that emerged were as follows: being there for everyone; leadership challenges; struggles, support and coping; and strengthening my role. There were 11 subthemes. CONCLUSIONS: A major focus of nurse managers during the pandemic was psychosocial support of front-line nurses while at the same time experiencing stress and exhaustion themselves. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: More attention on the psychosocial needs of nurse managers, interventions to allay their exhaustion and provisions for readily available support are warranted.